{"operation":"document","citation":"24-0057","title":"FHP Manufacturing — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2024-10-24","effective_on":null,"summary":"24-0057 response to FHP Manufacturing concerning 173.307.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-24-0057.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-24-0057.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-24-0057","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/2024-12/240057.pdf","body":"<<>>\n\nU.S. Department\nof Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous\nMaterials Safety\nAdministration\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE\nWashington, DC 20590\nOctober 24, 2024\nMr. Scott D. Langston\nGeneral Manager\nFHP Manufacturing\n601 N.W. 65th Court\nFort Lauderdale, FL 33309\nReference No. 24-0057\nDear Mr. Langston:\nThis letter is in response to your June 10, 2024, letter requesting clarification of the Hazardous\nMaterials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) applicable to transporting refrigerating\nmachines. Specifically, you ask whether an appliance containing two separate (i.e., isolated)\nrefrigerant circuits, each containing up to 12 kg (25 pounds) or less of a flammable, non-toxic\ngas, qualifies for the exception for compressed gases in refrigerating machines provided in\n§ 173.307(a)(4)(iii).\nThe answer is yes, provided the refrigerating machine is not transported by air. Refrigerating\nmachines and components thereof, containing 12 kg (25 pounds) or less of a flammable, non-\ntoxic gas, are not subject to the requirements of the HMR, unless transported by air. It is the\nopinion of this Office that this exception continues to apply to separate—and isolated—\nrefrigerating machines regardless of whether the refrigerating machines component parts make\nup a larger instrument or piece of equipment. The isolated refrigerant circuits may not utilize the\nsame tubing, piping, or relevant components to function.\nI hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.\nSincerely,\nAlexander Wolcott\nActing Chief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention Branch\nStandards and Rulemaking Division\n\n<<>>\n\nPollack\n24-0057\nFrom: INFOCNTR (PHMSA)\nTo: Hazmat Interps\nSubject: FW: Request for Letter of Interpretation regarding 49 CFR § 173.307(a)(4)(iii)\nDate: Friday, June 14, 2024 1:57:31 PM\nHello,\nPlease see below request for letter of interpretation.\nThanks,\nJonathon\nFrom: Langston Scott (HCFH/GM FldP/PM FldP/TEF) \nSent: Monday, June 10, 2024 3:38 PM\nTo: INFOCNTR (PHMSA) \nSubject: RE: Request for Letter of Interpretation regarding 49 CFR § 173.307(a)(4)(iii)\nCAUTION: This email originated from outside of the Department of Transportation (DOT). Do\nnot click on links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content\nis safe.\nHello,\nPlease note the reference in email below pertains to 40 CFR § 82.152:\nCode of Federal Regulations § 82.152 Definitions: Appliance, including any air conditioner, states:\nFor a system with multiple circuits, each independent circuit is considered a separate\nappliance.\nBest regards,\nScott D. Langston\nGeneral Manager\nFHP Manufacturing | 601 N.W. 65th Court | Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 | USA |\nTel. +1(954)513-3600 | Mobile +1(816)604-0912 | Scott.Langston@us.bosch.com\nFrom: Langston Scott (HCFH/GM FldP/PM FldP/TEF)\nSent: Tuesday, April 9, 2024 7:50 AM\nTo: pipeline_interp_submittal@dot.gov\nSubject: Request for Letter of Interpretation regarding 49 CFR § 173.307(a)(4)(iii)\nDear Mr. Schoonover,\nPrior to using party status to special permits (SP) 21287 and 21379, I would like to have clarified §\n173.307(a)(4)(iii) exception regarding “air conditioners, and components thereof, such as precharged\ntubing containing”, and if it includes independent circuits.\n\n<<>>\n\nCode of Federal Regulations § 82.152 Definitions: Appliance, including any air conditioner, states:\nFor a system with multiple circuits, each independent circuit is considered a separate\nappliance.\nANSI/ASHRAE Standard 15-2022 Definitions:\nindependent circuit: a closed refrigeration circuit that is arranged in such a manner that, in\nthe event of a single point of failure, the release of refrigerant is limited to only the quantity\ncontained within the refrigeration circuit.\nsystem refrigerant charge (mc): the total mass of refrigerant in an independent circuit of a\nsystem, including both factory and field refrigerant charge.\nself-contained system: a complete, factory-assembled and factory-tested system that is\nshipped in one or more sections and has no refrigerant-containing parts that are joined in\nthe field by other than companion valves or block valves.\nIf multiple independent factory charged and tested circuits each contain 12 kg (25 pounds) or less of a\nflammable, non-toxic gas, within one self-contained system, is 49 CFR § 173.307(a)(4)(iii) exception\napplicable?\nBest regards,\nScott D. Langston\nGeneral Manager\nFHP Manufacturing | 601 N.W. 65th Court | Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 | USA |\nTel. +1(954)513-3600 | Mobile +1(816)604-0912 | Scott.Langston@us.bosch.com","truncated":false,"body_characters":4620}